Society Archives

Depression and Decision-Making: Finding the Link

Is there a link between depression and decision-making? Are people happier when they have less control over their lives? According to Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, the more decisions you have to make and the more options you have to weigh, the more anxious and depressed you become. That’s not to say that he thinks your life should be controlled—but he does believe that people are happier when they have a more limited selection of options. Continue reading to learn why Schwartz thinks expanded choice is contributing to the rise in depression rates.

How Modern Culture Condemns Women’s Sexuality

How does modern culture condemn female sexuality? How do cultural messages around sex affect women’s sexual well-being? According to sex researcher Emily Nagoski, whether we’re aware of it or not, culture dictates our beliefs and ideals, including how we feel about sex. Nagoski tells us that women, in particular, grow up hearing a lot of negative messages about sex, which creates deep-seated feelings of shame and fear that can be detrimental to their sexual experience and well-being. In this article, we’ll explore the specific messages regarding women’s sexuality that our culture perpetuates and how they negatively impact women.

How the Freedom to Choose Affects Happiness

Why is the freedom to choose so important to human happiness? Is there such thing as too much choice? Barry Schwartz, the author of The Paradox of Choice, asserts that the freedom to choose provides basic autonomy to humans and is necessary for happiness. However, when presented with too many options, people can start to become anxious and depressed. Keep reading to learn why there is a fine line between the freedom of choice and too many choices.

Why We Have Difficulty Making Decisions

Why do we have difficulty making decisions? What are the most common comparisons we make when making decisions? One of the biggest factors that makes decision-making difficult is the fact that people have a tendency to compare their choices to the choices of others. There are four common types of comparisons that we use to weigh our decisions, which can make them seem better or worse. Keep reading to learn about the comparisons we make when making decisions.

Debunking the Myth of Hymen—”Virginity Membrane”

What is a hymen? Is the hymen a marker of a woman’s virginity? There is a common misconception that the hymen—a membrane found at the opening of the vaginal canal—is an indication of virginity. Because of its location and potential to change over the course of a woman’s life, there’s a common but incorrect belief that the hymen is a barrier that’s permanently “broken” the first time that a penis penetrates the vagina. Let’s debunk the myth of hymen or the “virginity membrane.”

The 4 Biggest Decision-Making Barriers: Explained

What are the biggest decision-making barriers? Why does expanded choice make decisions even more difficult? In his book The Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz asserts that expanded choice comes with four distinct pitfalls: missed opportunities, regret, disappointment, and unfavorable comparison. These decision-making barriers can have many side effects, such as decision paralysis, anxiety, and depression. Here’s a breakdown of the four decision-making barriers that come with expanded choice.

The Effects of Shame on Women’s Sexual Well-Being

How does modern culture repress female sexuality? What are the effects of sexual shame on women’s psychological well-being? Sex and sexuality are often associated with shame, especially for women. Women have always been taught to feel ashamed of their sexuality, which negatively affects their mental health. Here is how sexual shame affects women’s sexual well-being.

The Future of Democracy in the United States

What does the future hold in store for the representative government in the United States? Do you think democracy will recover or will the country inevitably slide into authoritarianism? According to Levitsky and Ziblatt, the authors of How Democracies Die, there are three possible scenarios for the future of democracy in the United States: 1) recovery, 2) authoritarian takeover, and 3) worsening party polarization. In this article, we’ll explore what they believe might lie ahead for American democracy.

Levitsky and Ziblatt: Will Democracy Survive?

Will democracy survive? What can be done to prevent America from democratic backsliding? According to Levitsky and Ziblatt, the authors of How Democracies Die, American democracy is going to face strong challenges. The authors present three key factors that they believe will determine whether or not democratic norms survive in American politics: 1) the behavior of party leaders (particularly Republicans), 2) public opinion, and 3) the possibility of crises like war or terrorist attacks. We’ll discuss the implications of each below.

William Easterly: The Problem With Humanitarian Aid

What are the major problems with humanitarian aid? How does bureaucracy get in the way of aid efforts? According to economist William Easterly in his book The White Man’s Burden, the bureaucracy surrounding international aid efforts is getting in the way of progress. The bureaucratic system causes a lack of accountability, coordination, and clear goals. Continue below to learn more about Easterly’s problems with humanitarian aid programs.